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APsystems Microinverter QT2-208 Installation Manual 6

2. APsystems Microinverter System Introduction

This integrated system improves safety; maximizes solar energy harvest; increases system
reliability, and simplifies solar system design, installation, maintenance, and management.

Safety with APsystems Microinverters

In a typical string inverter installation, PV modules are connected in series. The voltage
adds-up to reach high voltage value (from 600Vdc up to 1000Vdc) at the end of the PV string.
This extreme high DC voltage brings a risk of electrical shocks or electrical arcs which could
cause fire.
When using an APsystems microinverter, PV modules are connected in parallel. Voltage at the
back of each PV module never exceeds PV modules Voc, which is lower than 60Vdc for most
of PV modules used with APsystems microinverters. This low voltage is considered “safe to
touch” by fire departments and negates the risk of electrical shock, electrical arcs and fire
hazards.

APsystems Microinverters maximize PV energy production

Each 2 input channels have individual Maximum Peak Power Tracking (MPPT) control, which
ensures that the maximum power is produced to the utility grid regardless of the
performance of the PV modules of other channels in the array. When PV modules in the array
are affected by shade, dust, different orientation, or any situation in which one channel
underperforms compared with the other channels, the APsystems Microinverter ensures top
performance from the array by maximizing the performance of each channel individually
within the array.

More reliable than centralized or string inverters

The distributed APsystems Microinverter system ensures that no single point of system failure
exists across the PV system. APsystems Microinverters are designed to operate at full power
at ambient outdoor temperatures of up to 65 deg C (or 149 F). The inverter case is designed
for outdoor installation and complies with the Type 6 environmental enclosure rating.

Simple to install

APsystems Microinvertes are compatible with most of 60 and 72 cell PV modules or 120 and
144 half-cut cells PV modules. (In order to confirm compatibility of PV module with
APsystems microinverter, feel free to check our online “E-decider” module compatibility tool
or contact your local APsystems Technical Support).
Installation requires a minimum number of accessories and microinverters offer a lot of
versatility to the installer: microinverters can indeed be installed on different roofs with
different orientation or with modules having different orientation.
In the same way, end-users can extend their system whenever they want with microinverters.

Smart system performance monitoring and analysis

The APsystems Energy Communication Unit (ECU) is installed by simply plugging it into any
wall outlet and providing an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to a broadband router or modem.
After installing and setting the ECU (see ECU Instruction Manual), the full network of
APsystems Microinverters automatically reports to the APsystems Energy Monitor and
Analysis (EMA) web server.

Summary of Contents for QT2-208

Page 1: ...oinverter For LATAM APsystems Microinverter Installation Manual All Rights Reserved ALTENERGY POWER SYSTEM Inc latam APsystems com APsystems APsystems Guadalajara AV Lazaro Cardenas 2850 5º Piso Colonia Jardines del Bosque P 44520 Guadalajara Jalisco TEL 52 33 3188 4604 EMAIL info latam APsystems com ...

Page 2: ...APsystems Microinverters to the Racking 9 4 3 4 Step 4 Ground the system 10 4 3 5 Step 5 Connect the APsystems microinverter to AC bus cable 11 4 3 6 Step 6 Install a Bus Cable End Cap at the end of AC bus cable 12 4 3 7 Step 7 Connect APsystems Microinverters to the PV Modules 12 4 3 8 Step 8 Complete the APsystems installation map 14 5 APsystems microinverter system operating instructions 15 6 T...

Page 3: ...nd on the APsystems Microinverter system and the solar array Be aware that the body of the APsystems Microinverter is the heat sink and can reach a temperature of 80 C To reduce risk of burns do not touch the body of the Microinverter Do NOT attempt to repair the APsystems Microinverter If it fails contact APsystems Customer Support to obtain an RMA number and start the replacement process Damagin...

Page 4: ... with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio communications However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the followi...

Page 5: ...dequately advised or supervised by an electrically skilled person to enable him or her to perceive risks and to avoid hazards which electricity can create For the purpose of the safety information of this manual a qualified person is someone who is familiar with requirements for safety electrical system and EMC and is authorized to energize ground and tag equipment systems and circuits in accordan...

Page 6: ...em Introduction The APsystems Microinverter is used in utility interactive grid tied applications comprised of three key elements APsystems Microinverter APsystems Energy Communication Unit ECU APsystems Energy Monitor and Analysis EMA web based monitoring and analysis system Figure 1 ...

Page 7: ... Microinverter ensures top performance from the array by maximizing the performance of each channel individually within the array More reliable than centralized or string inverters The distributed APsystems Microinverter system ensures that no single point of system failure exists across the PV system APsystems Microinverters are designed to operate at full power at ambient outdoor temperatures of...

Page 8: ...mizing power production The components are encapsulated with silicone to reduce stress on the electronics dissipate heat enhance waterproof properties and ensure maximum reliability of the system 24 7 access to performance data through apps or APsystems EMA web based portal facilitate remote diagnosis and troubleshooting The new QT2 208 is grid interactive through its Reactive Power Control RPC fe...

Page 9: ... an APsystems Microinverter please read all instructions and warnings in the technical documents and on the APsystems Microinverter system itself as well as on the PV array Be aware that installation of this equipment includes the risk of electric shock Do not touch any live parts in the system including the PV array when the system has been connected to the electrical grid Even if not required by...

Page 10: ...fferent according to the local regulation Check all the wires of the installation before connecting to the AC bus to be sure they match Wrong cabling can damage irreparably the microinverters such damage is not covered by the warranty Do NOT carry the microinverter by the AC cable This may cause the AC cable to partially or fully disconnect from the unit resulting in no or poor operation 4 3 3 Ste...

Page 11: ...icroinverter to allow proper air flow The racking must be properly grounded as per local electrical code 4 3 4 Step 4 Ground the system There re 2 ways to ground the QT2 208 series microinverters 1 By grounding washer attached After the microinverters and racking are reliably installed the microinverter s grounding washer can connect to the racking to ensure proper earthing 2 By grounding copper w...

Page 12: ...o hear the click as a proof of robust connection Figure 4 Best Practice Use the Bus Cable Unlock Tool of AC Bus to disconnect the connectors Figure 5 Check the microinverter technical data page 21 to confirm maximum allowable number of microinverters on each AC branch of the circuit AC connector interface as from left to right Figure 6 Cover any unused connectors with Bus Cable Y CONN Cap to prote...

Page 13: ...ure 8 4 3 7 Step 7 Connect APsystems Microinverters to the PV Modules Figure 9 When plugging in the DC cables the microinverter should immediately blink green ten times This will happen as soon as the DC cables are plugged in and will show that the microinverter is functioning correctly This entire check function will start and end within 10 seconds of plugging in the unit so pay careful attention...

Page 14: ...een correctly installed Ensure that none of the AC and or DC wires are pinched or damaged Make sure that all of the junction boxes are properly closed Each PV panel must be carefully connected to the same channel Make sure to not split positive and negative DC cables into two different input channels microinverter will be damaged and warranty will not apply X ...

Page 15: ...tion c The second serial number label could be stuck on the solar module frame which could help later to confirm the position of the microinverter without dismantling the PV module Figure 10 The layout of the microinverters serial numbers installation map is only suitable for typical installation Installation Map is available in the last page appendix of this manual Use ECU_APP available in the EM...

Page 16: ...producing power after approximately one minute of waiting time 3 Microinverter data will be available in the EMA Manager APP or in the EMA web portal Alternatively LED sequences could be an indicator of microinverters status see section 6 1 Once the ECU has been commissioned properly the APsystems Microinverters will start to send performance data to the ECU The time required for all of the Microi...

Page 17: ...tem Unless the GFDI error has been cleared the LED will remain red and the ECU will keep reporting the fault Please contact your local APsystems Technical Support 6 2 ECU_APP APsystems ECU_APP available in the EMA Manager APP is the recommended tool to do on site troubleshooting When connecting the ECU_APP to the ECU hotspot please check ECU User Manual for more detailed information installer can ...

Page 18: ... Support Never disconnect the DC wire connectors under load Ensure that no current is flowing in the DC wires prior to disconnecting Always disconnect AC power before disconnecting the PV module wires from the APsystems Microinverter The APsystems Microinverter is powered by PV module DC power AFTER disconnecting the DC power when reconnecting the PV modules to the Microinverter be sure to watch f...

Page 19: ... the PV module DC wire connectors from the microinverter 4 Remove the Microinverter from the PV array racking B Install a replacement Microinverter to the rack Remember to observe the flashing green LED light as soon as the new Microinverter is plugged into the DC cables C Connect the AC cable of the replacement Microinverter to the AC bus D Close the branch circuit breaker and verify proper opera...

Page 20: ...dule are compatible with the range allowed on APsystems Microinverter Please check the microinverter datasheet DC operating voltage range of the PV module must be within allowable input voltage range of the APsystems Microinverter The maximum open circuit voltage of the PV module must not exceed the specified maximum input voltage of the APsystems ...

Page 21: ... 6kg AC Bus Cable 10AWG 35A DC Connector Type Stäubli MC4 PV ADBP4 S2 ADSP4 S2 Cooling Natural Convection No Fans Enclosure Environmental Rating Type 6 Features Communication Inverter To ECU 4 Encrypted ZigBee Isolation Design High Frequency Transformers Galvanically Isolated Energy Management Energy Management Analysis EMA system Warranty 5 10 Years Standard Certificate Compliance Safety and EMC ...

Page 22: ...APsystems Microinverter QT2 208 Installation Manual 21 9 QT2 208 Wiring Diagram 9 1 Sample Wiring Diagram Figure 12 No neutral wire output from inverter Compatible with both Delta and Wye 3 phase grid ...

Page 23: ...our PV installation Each APsystems microinverter has two serial number labels Peel the one label and affix it to the respective location on the APsystems installation map Installation Map Template Installer PV module type Qty Sheet___of____ Owner Microinverter type Qty Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 Column 7 Row 1 Row 2 Row 3 Row 4 Row 5 Row6 Row 7 Row 8 Row 9 Row10 s N ...

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